March 26, 2021 As we prepare for Passover tomorrow night, for this Shabbat, we read Tzav (Leviticus 6:1-8:36). On the night of the first Passover, when the Children of Israel were…

March 19, 2021 This Shabbat, we begin the book of Leviticus, or Vayikra in Hebrew. And most conveniently, our first portion is also called Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1-5:26). And to be sure, this is about…

March 12, 2021 We need to name it. It’s a little scary out there right now. The fear that some are feeling as we slowly attempt to move forward towards…

March 5, 2021 HAPPY SHABBAT PARAH! Wait?! What?! What is Shabbat Parah you ask? This Shabbat we read Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35), plus an additional selection for Shabbat Parah. These readings…

February 26, 2021 CHAG SAMEACH! and HAPPY PURIM! It is hard to believe that we have been living with the pandemic for a full year. The Coronavirus first hit our…

February 19, 2021 As a student of mathematics, sometimes I like to play with numbers.  I hear stories about the declining religiosity of Americans, mostly from parents who are concerned…

February 12, 2021 On Sunday, some will celebrate the holiday of roses and candy hearts. Even though Valentine’s Day got its start as a Christian liturgical celebration, this week’s Torah…

February 5, 2021 “The entire people responded together and said, ‘Everything that God has spoken we will do!’” (Ex. 19.8) With these words from this week’s portion, Yitro (Exodus 18:1-20:23),…

January 8, 2021 This week’s Torah portion, Shemot (Exodus 1:1-6:1), is the beginning of the second book. Exodus; and the story of Moses’ beginning as a leader for the Jewish…

January 1, 2021 Happy New Year! This whole New Year thing, it really leaves me very confused and filled with mixed emotions. We become very reflective, as we look back…

December 25, 2020 This week’s Torah portion, Vayigash (Genesis 44:18-47:27) has a beautiful phrase, “His soul is bound to his soul.” (44:30) In the dramatic scene when Judah is pleading…